Summer Stories

                I’m sad to report that no one entered in my contest, so there is no winner.  


I would like to take this opportunity to wish everyone good luck on their finals and to have a great summer.  During the summer, check back on the Spec Tech blog for special stories like a video review of Sonic the Hedgehog 4: Episode II, a video review of Lollipop Chainsaw, and complete coverage of E3 as well as keeping you up to date on all things tech. 

New Wii U rumors surface

Hello and welcome back to a regular edition of Spec Tech.  This week, Facebook buys Instagram, rumors from Wii U, Samsung Galaxy III launches, and the largest tablet screen is presented.
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Facebook bought the very popular app, Instagram for $1 billion.

 No one knows exactly why this deal was made, but it could be that Instagram wanted to spread to an even wider audience. Facebook not wanting competition could also be a factor.
 I will report more on this story as information becomes available.

 A rumor has surfaced that Nintendo’s new home console, the Wii U, will launch with a $300 price tag later this year.    More information about the Wii U should surface at E3 this summer with the debut of a new Super Mario Bros. game and Pikmin 3.

 Another rumor has surfaced on the next Nvidia Tegra 4 chip.  Officially called the Cortex A15, this chip will make quad-core tablets even faster.

 A Q1 2013 release is expected to debut in a 10-inch tablet.

 Take this next bit of news with a grain of salt.

 A Foxxcon employee revealed that the iPhone 5 will release in October.  It is rumored to be 4G and come with a 4.6-inch screen.

 The next Samsung Galaxy, rumored to be the Galaxy 3, is hosting an event in London on May. 3.

 Some say it will be completely different from the Galaxy 2, while others say it will be a minor update. 

 Stay tuned for more information.

 How would you like to carry the largest tablet being sold in bulk?  The Toshiba Excite 13 has a 13.3 inch screen with 1600×900 resolution.  It will launch with Android 4.0: Ice Cream Sandwich.  It is only 0.4 inches thick, weighs
2.2 pounds and has two cameras.  The internals are a Tegra 3 CPU, 1GB of RAM, Micro-HDMI and an SD slot.

 It will be available in June with 32GB for $650 or a 64GB version for $750.

 Intel has read my mind and answered my prayers.

 In my reports I try to keep my opinion out, but not this time.  I, personally, think that tablets are dumb.  I don’t understand why there is such a strong demand for them when laptops are much better and can do so much more. I always thought that tablets and laptops should combine, and at last they will!

 Intel introduced a hybrid ultrabook; both a laptop and tablet.  With the help of Windows 8, it is much easier to create a device like this. No other details were given.

 I would like to remind everyone that my video review contest is still running.  You have until May.1 to submit your video reviews to be the story for Spec Tech on May 3. 

  Post your videos on YouTube and email me the link at smsetser@valdosta.edu.

 The question for this week is, “Would you buy an ultrabook hybrid?”  Submit your answers online at vsuspectech.blogspot.com or email me at smsetser@valdosta.edu.